Former fifth grade students learned that Jamestown is important because it was the first permanent English settlement in America. The Jamestown Rediscovery Project has unearthed a priceless collection of artifacts. This special exhibit included a complete skeleton of a man who lived in the earliest time of Jamestown Island. Students were fascinated by the fact that the skeleton still had remains of a musket ball. A stop at Colonial Williamsburg allowed students to see the College of William and Mary, walk down Duke of Gloucester Street, visit the Old Post Office, buy gingersnap cookies at the bakery, and look in Bruton Parish Church. At Yorktown, students viewed a movie and explored the fort/munitions.
MUSEUMS, MULTIMEDIA, & MORE
- Students previously traveled to the Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News, VA to experience the Wyeth exhibit titled "NC Andrew James: An Artistic Legacy." According to NC Wyeth, "A picture is the briefest method known to communicate an idea to the human mind." Known as the "Great Illustrator" NC Wyeth created artwork for many books, including Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island and Kidnapped. To see for yourself, check out the PFAC website at www.pfac-va.org. The children had the opportunity to critique pieces in the Tidewater Artists Association Members Exhibition as well as creating their own books at the museum.
OUR NATION'S CAPITAL
In the past, third and fourth graders researched our nation's capital and constructed a replica of DC in the gym. Students were on-hand to speak about their various projects as parents, staff, and students listened. Also, the fourth graders spent a day in Washington, DC. First, they took in the sights of the Washington Monument and then headed to The White House. During the White House tour, students enjoyed seeing portraits of all of the U.S. Presidents. Next they went to the Smithsonian Institution, which has celebrated it's 150th Anniversary. Students saw the Wright Brothers' plane and Amelia Earhart's plane at the Air & Space Museum. Highlights of the Museum of American History included Old Glory, inaugural gowns of former First Ladies, Fonzie's leather jacket from the Happy Days sitcom , Mr. Roger's sweater, and Oscar the Grouch. Later, they went to the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial (nicknamed the "Jefferson Muffin"). They ended the day with a trip to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall.
THE XANADU PROJECT
Former 4th grade students participated in the Xanadu Project. After studying many countries, students then discussed, wrote about, and drew their vision of the ideal place to live. The class created a vivid quilt with the help of Cultural Arts teacher Virginia Schwalen and local artist, Gary Freeman. Their quilt and writing became a part of the book Xanadu, The Imaginary Place. Hardcover books are available at local bookstores; paperback copies are available at Knotts Island Elementary School. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to The Global Fund for Children, which supports community-based educational projects for children.
Shakti for Children is a nonprofit organization committed to teaching children to value diversity and to grow into productive, caring citizens of the world. You can visit their website at SHAKTI for Children. According to founder Maya Ajmera, when composing the first book in 1995 "Children from Australia to Zimbabwe," there was no country with the letter X. So, it was decided to make Xanadu the imaginary country in the book; from there, the Xanadu project was piloted in schools and community groups to let children define the imaginary place. Ajmera reflects that the student's artwork and writing pose a question: if we are indeed striving for communities of justice, equality, and respect, shouldn't our spirits be imaginative and creative?
ROANOKE ISLAND FESTIVAL PARK
Former fourth graders took a summer excursion to purchase a piece of artwork for the school's museum. Their search led them to the Roanoke Island Festival Park, which contains an art gallery with rotating exhibitions. Students were fascinated by the watercolor paintings by famed artist Pat Holcher. She is the current President of the NC Watercolor Association and a Juried Member of the National Watercolor Society. She resides in Washington, NC and paints full-time in her own studio.
